2021 Shaw & Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

The 2021 vintage benefited from soaking winter rains that provided ample soil moisture, leading to healthy crops. A mild summer allowed for slow ripening and enhanced flavor development. The wine was aged for 14 months in 500 to 600-liter French oak barrels (15% new), followed by an additional 14 months in the bottle. Crafted from close-planted, low-yielding vines at Shaw & Smith’s Balhannah Vineyard, this wine promises to reward careful cellaring for up to 20 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews....
A scintillating nose of mace, clove, blue-fruit persuasions, lilac, pepper-dried salumi, fennel seed and kelp, akin to nori of the sort found at Tokyo's arsenal of exceptional sushi counters. On the slightly richer side of mid-weighted. Yet, the slippery skein of tannin is so immaculately placed that there is neither heat nor an ounce of sloppy, sweet fruit. Everything is compressed into a polished bone of tension and savory refinement. The acidity is saline and lathered with tapenade. More of a syrah from an external perspective. An irrefutably brilliant one. I wish I had more to cellar, given the wine's noble stature. A ringer for refined Cornas, if not an oxymoron. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. Screw cap.
97 Points
New Goodwin - JamesSuckling.com

Shiraz from a north-facing site at 380m at Balhannah in the Adelaide Hills.
The pitch here is as perfect as you’ll find. It’s glossy and smooth but there’s sinew and grain too; the fruit is sweet but the herbs are ardent. Twiggy spice, mescal, black pepper and peanut shells weave through blueberry and ripe plum. Tannin is grapey, fine-grained, smoky and expansive. It’s exemplary. Drink 2025 - 2035+
95+ Points
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front